BIG C CATHOLICS

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was the 12th century French abbot, a prolific spiritual writer, counselor to popes, and Doctor of the Church who reformed the Cistercian Order. He was especially devoted to the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and was instrumental in the spread of this most solemn and powerful of devotions. The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affection. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not that penetrating oil, the Name Jesus. — St. Bernard of Clairvaux __________________________________ Prayer to the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ O good Jesus, according to Thy great mercy, have mercy on me. O most merciful Jesus, by that Precious Blood which You did willingly shed for sinners, I beseech You to wash away all my iniquities and to look graciously upon me, a poor and unworthy sinner, as I call upon Your Holy Name. Therefore,

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus or "the Little Flower" was a 19th century French Discalced Carmelite nun. This beloved mystic experienced profound spiritual insights attained in prayer. Here is Saint Thérèse's reflection on the Holy Family that she shared with her fellow sisters: What does me a lot of good when I think of the Holy Family is to imagine a life that was very ordinary… Little Jesus didn’t perform useless miracles…even to please His Mother. Why weren’t they transported into Egypt by a miracle which would have been necessary and so easy for God? In the twinkling of an eye, they could have been brought there. No, everything in their life was done just as in our own. How many troubles, disappointments! How many times did others make complaints to good St. Joseph! How many times did they refuse to pay him for his work! Oh! How astonished we would be if we only knew how much they had to suffer! — St. Thérèse of Lisieu

Reflecting on the Feast of the Holy Family Pope Benedict XVI observed: "When he was 12 years old, [Christ] stayed behind in the Temple and it took his parents all of three days to find him. With this act he made them understand that he 'had to see to his Father's affairs.' …This Gospel episode reveals the most authentic and profound vocation of the family: that is, to accompany each of its members on the path of the discovery of God and of the plan that he has prepared for him or her. Mary and Joseph taught Jesus primarily by their example: in his parents he came to know the full beauty of faith, of love for God and for his Law, as well as the demands of justice, which is totally fulfilled in love. From them he learned that it is necessary first of all to do God's will..." — Pope Benedict XVI __________________________________ Prayer to the Holy Family Lord Jesus Christ, who, was made subject to Mary and Joseph, did so consecrate domestic life

From 1955 until her death, Flannery O’Connor maintained a correspondence with Betty Hester, a personal friend with whom she discussed various issues including God, the Church and theology. The following quotation is from a letter to Hester written days before O’Connor’s passing at the age of 41, on August 3, 1964. For me it is the virgin birth, the Incarnation, the resurrection which are the true laws of the flesh and the physical. Death, decay, [and] destruction are the suspension of these laws. I am always astonished at the emphasis the Church puts on the body. It is not the soul she says that will rise but the body, glorified. — Flannery O’Connor ________________________________________ St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Saint Thomas Becket was a 12th century English archbishop and martyr who chose Christ and Christ's Church over the King. This courageous act of fidelity and deep seed devotion would ultimately lead to his martyrdom. Facing the enemies of the Church and forces opposed to God, Becket remained faithful. Do you not know that the largest trees, which have required years to grow, are cut down in one hour? It is foolish to look for their fruits and yet to be unprepared for their fall. Let it be your consolation, then, that God's enemies, however honorable and exalted they may have been, shall nevertheless fade away like the smoke. — St. Thomas Becket ________________________________________ Prayer for St. Thomas Becket's Intercession Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Thomas Becket the courage to give up his life for the sake of your holy Church, grant, through his intercession, that, in renouncing our life for Christ in this world, we may see God face to fac

On this feast, holy Mother Church honors the memory of Bethlehem’s innocent children slaughtered by the wicked monarch, Herod. Their blameless lives bear witness to Christ who was also persecuted by a world which would not receive Him. St. Augustine tells us that Herod’s evil was surpassed by the love of God. Today, dearest brethren, we celebrate the birthday of those children who were slaughtered, as the Gospel tells us, by that exceedingly cruel king, Herod. Let the earth, therefore, rejoice and the Church exult — she, the fruitful mother of so many heavenly champions and of such glorious virtues. Never, in fact, would that impious tyrant have been able to benefit these children by the sweetest kindness as much as he has done by his hatred. For as today's feast reveals, in the measure with which malice in all its fury was poured out upon the holy children, did heaven's blessing stream down upon them. — St. Augustine ________________________________________ Collec

St. Augustine, the early Church Father, was a brilliant philosopher, theologian and bishop of Hippo [in present day Algeria]. He composed several short sermons on the Birth of Our Lord. Here, Augustine reflects upon the humility and great love that God exhibited for us in sending His only Son to assume our fallen humanity: "What human being could know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ and concealed under the poverty of His humanity? For, 'being rich, he became poor for our sake that by his poverty we might become rich.' When He assumed our mortality and overcame death, He manifested Himself in poverty, but He promised riches though they might be deferred; He did not lose them as if they were taken from Him. How great is the multitude of His sweetness which He hides from those who fear Him but which He reveals to those that hope in Him!" ― St. Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 194 ________________________________________ Christmas Anticip

The most famous doctrinal volume of this 4th century Alexandrian Bishop is his treatise: De Incarnatione , On the Incarnation of the Word, the divine Logos. It was Athanasius who said the Word of God, "was made man so that we might be made God." Here Athanasius further elaborates on Jesus Christ’s salvific mission: The body of the Word, then, being a real human body, in spite of its having been uniquely formed from a virgin, was of itself mortal and, like other bodies, liable to death. But the indwelling of the Word loosed it from this natural liability, so that corruption could not touch it. Thus it happened that two opposite marvels took place at once: the death of all was consummated in the Lord's body; yet, because the Word was in it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished. ― St. Athanasius of Alexandria _____________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. Athanasius Almighty ever-living God, who raise

December 15th is the feast of the Italian saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli that is observed throughout Italy. Virginia was born in 1587 and forced into marriage in 1602. She raised two daughters and was widowed at the age of 20. She repulsed another suitor seeking marriage and made a solemn vow of chastity. She devoted her life to aiding the destitute and the sick. This is her oft repeated quote on God. When God is the only goal, all disagreements are smoothed out, all difficulties overcome. — St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli ______________________________________ Prayer for St.  Virginia Centurione Bracelli’s Intercession God, in St Virginia Centurione Bracelli, you have provided us with an example of lifelong service to the less fortunate among us. Move our hearts with the same compassion as You did hers, so we may follow her by directing our efforts in this life to love and service of You in our neighbors. Through Your Son, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. John of the Cross, the Carmelite saint, mystic and Doctor of the Church, was imprisoned three times while trying to reform his own order. He was shamefully persecuted by his brethren and publicly disgraced. The physical and emotional suffering he endured was immense. This total abandonment by creatures served to deepened his peace and love for God. Here is his insight into the Judgment. In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone. — St. John of the Cross ______________________________________ Prayer for St.  John of the Cross’ Intercession Almighty ever-living God, who gave the priest and mystic Saint John of the Cross an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial and love of the Cross, grant that, by imitating him closely at all times, and by his intercession, we may duly come to contemplate eternally your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin, popularly referred to as “the Little Flower” or St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, was a French Discalced Carmelite nun. This beloved saint experienced profound spiritual insights attained in prayer. This is her reflection on the Infant Christ. A God who became so small could only be mercy and love.  — St. Thérèse of Lisieux ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Intercession Almighty God, you open your Kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead us to follow trustingly in the little way of Saint Thérèse, so that through her intercession we may see your eternal glory revealed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared to Juan Diego, an humble Indian convert, on December 9th, 1531. According to the account, Our Lady instructed Juan Diego to tell Bishop Juan de Zumárraga to build a chapel in her honor where the faithful could pray and receive miracles. Our Lady’s message to humanity is one of peace, hope and love. May we heed her words and love God ever more deeply. "Hear me and let it penetrate your heart…do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do not grieve nor be disturbed…" Our Lady’s words to Juan Diego ________________________________ Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for holy Church, protect the sovereign Pontiff,

Saint John Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Curé d’Ars , was a 19th century French priest confessor, mystic and the patron saint of priests. His preaching was so powerful that the faithful traveled from far and wide to hear his homilies. The following quotation comes from a larger discourse on prayer and contemplation. This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man's happiness lies.  ― St. John Vianney ___________________________ Prayer of St. John Vianney I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally. My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath. Amen.

[On the night of Our Savior's Birth] The Angel announces that a king is born, and the choirs of angels join their voices, and rejoicing together they cry, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those of good will.' Before our redeemer was born in the flesh there was a discord between us and the angels, from whose brightness and purity we stood afar, not only as the result of original sin but also because of our daily offenses. Because through sin we had become strangers to God, the angels as God's subjects had cut us off from their fellowship. But because we have now acknowledged our King, the angels have received us as fellow citizens. ― St. Gregory the Great  _______________________________________ Collect Prayer for the Nativity of the Lord Almighty ever-living God, who gladdens us year by year as we wait in hope for our redemption grant that, just as we joyfully welcome your Only Begotten Son our Redeemer, we may also merit to face him c

Having excepted the holy Virgin Mary, concerning whom, on account of the honor of the Lord, I wish to have absolutely no question when treating of sins—for how do we know what abundance of grace for the total overcoming of sin was conferred upon her, who merited to conceive and bear him in whom there was no sin?—so, I say, with the exception of the Virgin, if we could have gathered together all those holy men and women, when they were living here, and had asked them whether they were without sin, what do we suppose would have been their answer?" ― St. Augustine, Nature and Grace , 36:42. _____________________________________________ Collect for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Almighty ever living God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cle

Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light... ― St. Ambrose of Milan _____________________________________________ Collect Prayer for the Memorial of St. Ambrose  Almighty ever-living God, who made your Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. St. Ambrose defender of the Faith, intercede for us.

The most famous doctrinal volume of this 4th century Alexandrian Bishop is his treatise: De Incarnatione , On the Incarnation of the Word, the divine Logos. It was Athanasius who said the Word of God, "was made man so that we might be made God.” Here Athanasius further elaborates on Jesus Christ’s salvific mission: The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him... ― St. Athanasius of Alexandria _____________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. Athanasius Almighty ever-living God, who raised up your holy Bishop St. Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son's divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection by Athanasiu

"From the moment of His birth, He [Christ] belongs outside the realm of what is important and powerful in worldly terms. Yet it is this unimportant and powerless child that proves to be the truly powerful one, the One on whom ultimately everything depends. So one aspect of becoming a Christian is having to leave behind what everyone else thinks and wants, the prevailing standards... to enter the light of the truth of our being, and aided by that light to find the right path." — Pope Benedict XVI _____________________________ Prayer for Right Discernment Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, a spirit of always pondering on what is right and of hastening to carry it out, and, since without you we cannot exist, may we be enabled to live according to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Saint John of Damascus or Damascene, the last of the Greek Fathers, was an 8th century theologian and one of the principal defenders of the veneration of images against the Iconoclasts, who condemned this practice. I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake. …Because of the Incarnation, I salute all remaining matter with reverence. — St. John Damascene _____________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Damascene Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may be helped by the prayers of the Priest Saint John Damascene, so that the true faith, which he so excelled in teaching, may always be our light and our strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Saint Charles Borromeo delivered these words nearly 450 years ago in a pastoral letter to the faithful under his care in the diocese of Milan, urging them to renew their hearts and souls during the holy season of Advent. May we do the same. Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent… . The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his peace. — St. Charles Borromeo ________________________________________ Prayer for St. Charles Borromeo's Intercession  Preserve in the midst of your people, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you filled the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo, and through his holy intercession, that your Church may be constantly renewed and, by conforming h